Related sites

http://www.americansforthearts.org/public_awareness/

http://www.artsusa.org/networks/arts_education/arts_education_004.asp

http://www.omea-ohio.org/Static_PDF/Advocacy/Eight.pdf

Work Cited

The Effects of Arts Education

Wallace, Rebecca Rockwell, MeL. N.p., 1998. Web. 29 Feb 2012. <http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/recordDetails.jsp?searchtype=keyword&pageSize=10&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=arts and music programs being cut&eric_displayStartCount=1&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=kw&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900019b800c6c32&accno=ED426943&_nfls=false>.

Intelligence and Education

Baskas, Richard S., . "Intelligence and Education ." MeL. N.p., 2008. Web. 29 Feb 2012. <http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/recordDetails.jsp?ERICExtSearch_Related_0=ED426943&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900019b8045d3bd&accno=ED516828&_nfls=false>.

Self Efficantcy

Garvis, Susanne; Pendergast, Donna, . "Self Efficentcy Beliefs in teaching of the Arts." MeL. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb 2012. <http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/recordDetails.jsp?searchtype=keyword&pageSize=10&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=Arts Education&eric_displayStartCount=1&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=kw&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900019b80480a41&accno=EJ937070&_nfls=false>.

Reinvesting in Arts Education

Dwyer, M. Christine, . "The name assigned to the document by the author. This field may also contain sub-titles, series names, and report numbers. Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America's Future through Creative Schools ." MeL. N.p., 2011. Web. 29 Feb 2012. <http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/recordDetails.jsp?searchtype=keyword&pageSize=10&ERICExtSearch>

Tax Money, Sub-Topic

Where will the tax money be going?
The money being cut from the Arts has effected the teachers greatly I recently had an 
interview with an art teacher who has had to limit class size, has had to do less projects and 
changed to cheaper alternatives. She has been selling hot chocolate just to raise money for art 
club.
A question that keeps coming up is; if not the arts, where is this tax money going? Well, 
most of it is going into paying off debts. I’ve read in some recent articles that people think we 
should be cutting money from schools because classes like art, drama, and dance are a 
distraction from their studies, but they are wrong because me (being an art student) think that 
it’s a place to creatively show what’s on your mind where no one will judge you. Students need 
that time.

 Statistics on Extracurricular Activities in Public Schools
Obviously when we think of extracurricular activities, most peoples minds drift to art, music, or maybe sports, but did you ever think these activities could help you mentally to improve test scores? A study was shown by the Children’s Music Workshop that students who participate in extracurricular activities test 41% higher than students who don’t participate. Who wouldn’t want to test higher?

There are many other things that could effect you in a positive way, being in an art class could encourage you to speak up in class more, because now you have an environment where you can creatively express your ideas. If you participate in dance or theater you could learn better speaking and presenting skill you could use hands on in the classroom.

Did you know that being on a team could put you in the 74.6% of high school athletes that obtain a better grade point averages (Rombokas 18), and it encourages socialization, self-expression, communication, and motor development. But sadly due to budget cuts there planning on cutting 49% of the money they have towards sports at your school. (LACHSA)

To conclude, there are many organizations out there to help reduce the cuts in the Arts being thrown at public schools, but it isn’t enough. Please get involved at your school or donate to charities.

An interview I had with Mrs. Assink (art teacher)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMRL3LB7KH8

Personal opinion

It's been in the media lately that the Arts shouldn't be funded due to tax payers and budget cuts, but I think an Art or music class should be required in the high school curriculum. We learn team work, how to build character and its practice for presentations. 

Statistics about absences with high school students

"Almost every high school in the U.S. offers some type of extracurricular activity, such as music, academic clubs, and sports. These activities offer opportunities for students to learn the values of teamwork, individual and group responsibility, physical strength and endurance, competition, diversity, and a sense of culture and community. Extracurricular activities provide a channel for reinforcing the lessons learned in the classroom, offering students the opportunity to apply academic skills in a real-world context, and are thus considered part of a well-rounded education."

@ http://nces.ed.gov/pubs95/web/95741.asp 

Ways to improve study habits?

Signing up for music therapy-

"Music therapy is a clinical and evidenced based use of music interventions to accomplish indivifualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approval music therapy program. Music therapy is a well-established allied health professional similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy." (The American Music Therapy Association)  

http://www.musictherapy.org/

How extra curricular activities can effect your children in a positive way

"Students learn character building lessons that they can apply to their study habits and to their lives. Activities such as athletics, music, theater, and organizations teach students how to discipline themselves through drills, practices, or rehearsal" (Rombokas 8)

"74.6% reported that they felt team sports are an excellent way to build character" (Rombokas 18)

The Staff at West Ottawa High School made a video to support the "Arts"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlqybaBC63A